The tsunami reached a maximum of 15 metres in height and went as much as one kilometer in from the coast.[1] According to some accounts the wave was even higher in places. It destroyed the town center. At least 1,300 people died.[2]

There are three nuclear reactors in Onagawa. They can produce up to 2,174 megawatts of electricity. The plants automatically shut down after the March 11 earthquake without any accidents. There is no plan to start the plants again during 2011. [3]